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The Missoula Indian Center has been incorporated as a non-profit 501 (C)(3) community based organization since 1970 governed by a board of directors elected by the Native American community. Originally known as Qua-Qui, the founders of this organization saw a need for those Native Americans who have left their reservation to seek a better way of life through higher education and/or employment to have a place to come together as Indian people to practice and preserve their culture. There was a need that still exists today to assist in the transition from reservation life into mainstream society. The Indian Health Care Improvement Act of 1976 provided a clear Federal policy "to elevate the health status of Indians and Alaska Natives to the highest possible level" and began to articulate specific components of the national strategy to accomplish it’s stated goal. This Act also established the role of Indian Health Service in the assistance and provision of services to Indians living off-reservation in urban areas. With this came the opportunity to focus our attention towards providing health care services to our Indian Community. Qua-Qui began offering health services in the late 70’s and by 1982 the health program provided weekly on-site clinics facilitated by volunteer nurses from the Montana State University Student Nursing Program and a volunteer Family Health Practitioner. The clinic offered minor health care services including well child and special clinics for women. By 1986, Qua-Qui had experienced many organizational changes including relocation, phasing out on-site clinical services and changing the name from Qua-Qui to Native American Services Agency. Since phasing out clinical services in 1986, health services continued to be our main focus but now were provided through outreach and referral activities with an emphasis on prevention and education. The health staff did extensive networking in the community with local heath care providers and organizations to form long lasting partnerships that still exist today. Services began expanding with the addition of several new programs such as Health Promotion/Disease Prevention, Immunization, Mental Health, and the ASAP program or (Substance Abuse Prevention Program). We began to develop culturally sensitive education materials and providing culturally appropriate presentations and workshops. In 1993, we merged our services with the Missoula Indian Alcohol & Drug Services Agency
in order to provide one
stop comprehensive health and chemical dependency services to the Indian
community. We changed our name one last time from Today, with the addition of the Diabetes Program and Tobacco Cessation and Prevention, our services remain primarily outreach and referral in which we rely heavily on many local agencies in the community. We also operate a State Certified Chemical Dependency Program.
Our current location at Bldg 33 Fort Missoula Road, Missoula MT 59804
"When you began a
great work you can’t expect to finish it all at once; therefore do
Teedyuscung
Delaware (1705 – 1763) |
Send mail to
Info@missoulaindiancenter.org
with your Calendar information.
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